Five-eighth is one of the most contentious positions in the NSW State of Origin team, and the City-Country match just added to the riddle. No player is bashing down the door for selection, but you’ve got to pick someone, right? My pick is Josh Reynolds.
City’s Reynolds and Country’s Jarrod Mullen each had their positive moments. Neither did his chances any harm, but neither took the game by the scruff of the neck, either. I prefer Reynolds because he runs the ball more and at the same time keeps the defence guessing with his potential for an offload.
I don’t doubt Mullen’s credentials. In particular, he’s got a very good kicking game. But there is more likelihood that Reynolds can put pressure on the Queensland defenders by forcing them to make a decision on whether to tackle him or stay on the support player.
Picking Reynolds at five-eighth would mean the Blues having to find another goal-kicker, since James Maloney took the shots in last year’s State of Origin series. But getting the key positions right is the priority. It might be OK to pick one winger over another based on his goal-kicking ability, but if goal-kicking is a major reason for picking a five-eighth, you’ve got a problem.
The fullback, five-eighth, halfback and hooker should be there based on their ability to make something happen, well above everything else.
Maloney has obviously got good attributes, but whether he’s good enough at Origin level is the question. He’s getting over an injury, although you wouldn’t hold that against him as long as he’s playing club football again before they name the side.
NSW coach Laurie Daley wasn’t giving anything away after the City-Country game.
“Mullen and Reynolds both had some nice touches,” he said. “Both players are certainly in the frame. We will continue to monitor them over the next couple of weeks. We will also see how James Maloney and (South Sydney five-eighth) John Sutton are playing.”
It was a typical answer from a representative coach who no doubt has a preference in mind but is not so convinced that he wants to publicly commit himself. It would be better if Daley were so convinced by one of the contenders that he was confident enough to declare it now, but there is no standout.
If he sticks with Maloney, I hope it’s not because he wants to pick Reynolds on the bench. Including a bench player to cover the halves and hooker positions has been a waste of a spot for the Blues in recent years. Jamie Buhrer in 2012 and Reynolds last year were proof of that.
Unless you’ve got a player to cover those positions who can also be thrown on in addition to the hooker and halves as a roving attacking player, which is how Phil Gould often used Craig Wing when he was coaching the Blues, it’s a waste of space.
The Maroons can afford to pick Daly Cherry-Evans on the bench. They’ve won eight series in a row. NSW haven’t got that luxury.
SAVAGE
Guest
I agree. His energy and enthusiasm is what's needed in the NSW camp.
Paul Wainwright
Roar Rookie
Agree 100%. I think Reynolds should be there because he is runs the ball more and is 100% committed in every game, annoyingly so for someone that supports the Dragons! But the problem is that Pearce's kicking game is not where it needs to be to win origin and NSW need a kicker like Mullen. I think Pearce should be dropped but it wont happen to Mullen is my preference purely for his kicking game.
JayBob
Guest
Not solely on that performance no, but anyone who picks SOO solely off 1 City-Country game has rocks in their head, and hopefully they are no where near the selection process. Based on form I would definitely pick Reynolds over Maloney or Mullen, not even a question. Fittler had more than one player pushing for selection and by making those comments he hurt anyone's chances in the forwards, he would not say it unless he thought it. Also, it all really comes down to NSW, not City; Freddie would want whoever he thinks is best for NSW, whether they play for City is irrelevant. Freddie is more likely to talk down Reynold's chances because Maloney is a Rooster. Falloon was also very average and is no where near rep standard, poor service and many occasions where both Adam and Josh called for the ball because they could see opportunity and he went the other way.
KB
Guest
Its a two horse race. Bird or Reynolds. But Jimmy Maloney will be back for SOO 2 regardless of a win or not.
KB
Guest
Willie's a pillow. As for Sam Thaiday, last year he ran over the top of the NSW FORWARDS!
New Guinea
Guest
How comes Petero steam rolled Idris 8 in a row? Put him in and Qld will bash him up....he runs like a baby
Andy
Guest
Everyone going on about him 'being a competitor' and 'getting under the skin of QLD', I'd rather have a good defender with a good kicking game. I'm pretty sure Bird and Gallen can annoy QLD enough. Sutton is my pick, can kick, pass and is a mountain. If you're gonna pick Reynolds, pick him on the bench.
The eye
Guest
They scored 3 tries in the last 6 minutes of flurry,throw it and hope desperation..where were they during the 74 mins they were copping a pounding ?When asked to put on structured attacking plays that more likely simulated SOO conditions they showed zero.. .Moylan got players player I thought Mead was at least his equal,Taufua was quiet and has no chance based on that display of making the Blues,Walker was alright but got hammered by Idris,Hopoate got the last try but that was it,buckleys of putting J.Moz out and in a queue behind Idris..Tupou got those 2 tries but gee they went to sleep with the blockers and he made the careless error we all know he has in him and never want to see in the big arena..you saw the game,would you honestly prefer Josh Reynolds over the incumbent or Mullen on that performance ? As for Freddie,naturally the coach is going to talk up his players rep chances..If you thought he played well,you've got the bar too low
Chris
Guest
Yes I watch all games twice on nrl.com
Carlos
Guest
Mate we need 4 big front rowers and 4 strong running hard tackling back rowers. Hooker should be tough enough and ready to play 90 or nt be there. Beau Scott has not done well at origin had a crack good on him, but playing him at front row is crazy, we will get rolled. Gallen should be in the middle but he needs to be lock and boosting the defence, not for two or three handles per set in attack. I think its simple NSW can win this series if they get up in defence. keep pressure in the middle and kick to the corners. The halve's need to prioritise getting the ball quickly to Hayne and Jennings and then kicking to Topou in the zone. No more play after play of halves passing to an inside running backrower before kicking straight to Slater on the 4th...
JayBob
Guest
Did you watch the defence of Tupou and Taufua in the City Country game? Wow, they are definitely not ready, Morris brothers are fast, can break the line but also great defenders. You say Thaiday will have a field day with Reynolds, no, JT and Inglis will have a field day with Taufua or Tupou if picked. Hopoate could make the wing again but I think he is still a year off, plus we could need a kicker and Richards is big, in good form, and experienced. You do realise Thurston is just as bad at defending as Reynolds? Maybe they should take him out and put a bigger guy there to defend ;) I know Reynolds is no JT but there is a reason that halves are there for attack and not so much for their defence, because you need players who can create opportunities. Joey isn't that bright really, look at the players mentioned. Fittler, Daley, Kenny?? Somehow I don't think NSW done well with them because they are "big", it's because they are all unbelievable players! Well above anyone NSW has to choose from at present and miles above Sutton or playing Hayne out of position.
JayBob
Guest
You think so? The Country forwards dominated the City forwards for the majority of the game, the only thing that kept City hanging in there were the backs. Fittler said the same thing and he was analysing the game as a coach. Country defence was great at times, they had a mobile pack with Tolman Jackson etc who are great defenders.
JayBob
Guest
I guess you mean they physically only have one eye because anyone with two can see that Hodkinson has outplayed Pearce by a country mile this year ;) I'm not saying put Hodkinson in because they need to show form for longer IMO, last year Adam Reynolds was the form half but this year not so much, and if we put him in last year we would probably stick with him.
Devout Saint
Guest
I was saying that Josh Reynolds should have been the first half chosen for NSW last year. He should be the first half chosen this year too. Finding someone to partner him is the difficult part. I would have chosen Kelly if he was not injured. Now I would probably go with Roberts and he would also be the goal kicker. Mullen would probably be my second pick for halfback, but he doesn't kick goals and none of my other selections kick goals either.
Blueberry
Guest
You make it sound like Pearce has consistently been the best half for NSW when he HASNT. A number of halfbacks have outplayed him in the past during different seasons like A,Reynolds and more recently Trent Hodgkinson not to forget Carney who can play halfback and others who haven't been better or worse like Albert Kelly but none have been given the opportunity. My other point is you never know how these other players will go until they actually play in Origin. At least we agree on one thing Pearce is not up to Origin.
Chook-a-doodle-do
Guest
I don't cancel my own point,who has played better than him in the last few years?I'd love it if we had a Joey sitting in the wings to take over,but no-one out there is at origin level,and none of them are going,or have gone better than Pearce.I'm not saying he's good,because as far as I"m concerned he's not up to the standard of origin,but as I keep asking,who should replace him,who is going better than him?It's one thing just to bag him,but give an option to replace him that is worthwhile.As for form,he's been going good all year,it's Maloney that hasn't,but it still stands that no-one has stepped up to replace him.
Bonza
Guest
Andrew Johns made a great point (and he`d know) when he said NSW`s best years were with big, strong 5/8s. Fittler, Daley, Barrett and when picked, Kenny. Have to agree. Sam Thaiday must be rubbing his hands in glee at the chance to run over the top of yet another small outside defender. It won`t happen but Hayne or Sutton would be the obvious choices. Also won`t happen but both Morris brothers will get a jersey instead of the likes of Tupou, Taufua and Hopoate, all players Qld`s ageing team would prefer NOT to defend against. At the very least pick Willie Mason as 18th man for the bonding sessions.
Sir Jamie Lyon
Guest
Discuss all you want qld will win and again next year. Then we will rise. After 10. It's already been written.
Chook-a-doodle-do
Guest
So who would you put in?I agree that Pearce isn't up to the job of origin,but who do we have that is better?No-one in the last few years has been a better option,So who do you go with?
Chris
Guest
I watch the rest on nrl.com